Discussion

An interesting "food challenge" at work

We are a small business, only about eight people. I'm 49, Sabrina is 55, and then it ranges from a 20 yr. old to a 72 yr. old.

Sabrina, myself, and Cody, who is 28, have all decided that we will drop some weight between now and the end of the month. Cody has never really exercised before but he's already doing great.

Sabrina and I, on the other hand, have gained big innertubes of blubber around our waists due to stress at work and menopause. We both are in great health, my good cholesterol is triple the norm and my blood pressure is well below nornal. We both run every day.

So today we decided that we would do fun, interesting, healthy salads for lunch. We figured out what each other had in our refrigerators & pantries at home and tomorrow will bring all of that ready to go for some salads.

a couple of co-workers (both of them men) and I were also trying to drop some pounds a few years ago, and for awhile for lunch every day we'd have a drained can of tuna mixed with chopped tomatoes, sometimes a little diced avocado, s&p, and dressed with Tapatio hot sauce (which is pretty mild). Fresh, healthy, light and a really satisfying lunch.

thanks for all of the suggestions. Today's lunch was a hit, and I'm amazed at how much we ate, so I'll throw in some of your suggestions tomorrow.

Our refrigerator seems to create a lot of moisture, so the salad greens don't hold up too well. I got another container of them tonight after work and will keep them at home and take them to work as we need them.

mariacarmen, are you suggesting I just have your ingredients in the fridge to create "an alternative salad" to something based on greens?

ultimatepotato, I'd worry that prawns would have to be eaten as soon as cooked. I love grilled prawns in a salad but this is stuff we can keep in the fridge throughout the week.

hearts of palm!!roasted cauliflowergrilled onionsedamamediced apples or grapessundried tomatoes - not marinated in oilroasted garlic -- if you don't mind having the breath...smell...grilled asparagusgrilled eggplant - marinated in balsamicgrilled mushrooms - marinated in balsamicgrated zucchini or yellow squashsteamed and chilled shredded cabbage with a hint of rice vinegarcucumber slicesroasted celery slicesfire-roasted scallions...to name a few more...